Trump: Vance to focus on 'corruption and crime' after 'hundreds of billions' secured from Iran
The President directed the Vice President to shift away from the eight-month conflict, citing the war's economic impact on last week's midterm losses.
By Oliver Bennett ·
President Donald Trump directed Vice President JD Vance to pivot his attention from the ongoing conflict with Iran to domestic issues of corruption and crime on Thursday. In a social media post, the President stated, “We don’t need a deal with Iran,” asserting that the United States has already secured “Hundreds of Billions of Dollars” and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump told Vance to focus his “complete and total attention” on his anti-fraud campaign. This directive follows Republicans' sweeping losses in the midterm elections held on Nov. 3, a result Vance has attributed to the economic reverberations of the war. Vance, who served as the lead negotiator for a temporary truce earlier this year, wrote a lengthy post on X following the election. “If you’d like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so,” Vance said.
The timing of the President’s remarks coincided with reports that Vance was weighing new direct talks with senior Iranian officials. Democrats, who are expected to take control of Congress in January, have pledged to intensify oversight of Trump’s business dealings. The President’s post appears to respond to these legislative plans while also reacting to the news of potential diplomatic reengagement.
Vance’s office did not respond to a request for comment. The White House press office noted via email that the President’s post clarified his view that no further negotiation with Iran is necessary. Trump has previously described the war as “militarily effectively over.” In an interview on “The Hugh Hewitt Show” on Thursday, the President said he stood ready to restart strikes if necessary. “If something doesn’t work out, I would not hesitate,” he said.
Maritime conditions around Iran remain volatile. The British military reported that at least two tankers were struck by projectiles in recent days. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center stated one vessel was hit in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, with the crew evacuating safely. A second tanker was struck in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, where several crew members were taken ashore for medical assistance.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week that he pressed his Group of Seven counterparts in Paris to help protect ships from Iranian attacks. Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, claimed in an interview that the United States asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate direct negotiations. Qalibaf said that Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei briefed Putin on Iran’s positions, adding that it is now up to the U.S. side to respond.
The President suggested in an interview with Stephen A. Smith that he has not ruled out strikes on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain facility if activity is detected. The White House did not directly respond to a query about whether the U.S. has asked Putin to facilitate talks. Oil shipments from the region have recovered to near prewar levels, though tankers now rely on U.S. Navy escorts to traverse the strait.
